UM hands out hardware Saturday night

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

The University of Michigan presented its annual team awards to eight players while also announcing its captain for the 2009-10 campaign at the annual Dekers Blue Line Club Banquet on Saturday night at the Ann Arbor Sheraton.

Head coach Red Berenson named rising senior defenseman Chris Summers as the captain for the 2009-10 season. Summers began the 2008-09 season as an alternate captain before being elevated to co-captain in October. Alternate captains for 2009-10 will be named in the fall.

The 2008-09 Wolverines received an NCAA Tournament bid for a 19th consecutive season, extending a national-best streak. Overall, Michigan earned a record of 29-12-0. Its mark of 18-10-0 in CCHA play was good for second place. U-M also finished in second place at the CCHA Tournament. In December, the Wolverines repeated as Great Lakes Invitational champions.

Sophomore forward Louie Caporusso collected the Hal Downes Award as U-M's Most Valuable Player. Caporusso was U-M's leading goal scorer with a career-high 23 tallies this past season. He was second in points on the team with a career-high 49 points. His five game-winning goals also led all Wolverines. Caporusso was named to the All-CCHA first team in March. The Hal Downes Award is voted upon by the team.

Sophomore forward Aaron Palushaj received the Hazel M. "Doc" Losh Award, which is given to U-M's scoring leader. Palushaj notched career highs in goals (13), assists (37) and points (50). He joined Caporusso on the All-CCHA first team.

Summers picked up the Vic Heyliger Award as the team's outstanding defenseman. Summers was second among U-M's blueliners in points (17), plus/minus (+17) and blocked shots (34). His 13 assists and 17 points were career highs. Summers received All-CCHA honorable mention and was a finalist for the CCHA Best Defensive Defenseman award.

Freshman forward David Wohlberg received the Dekers Club Award as the team's most colorful rookie. Wohlberg was the CCHA Rookie of the Year and earned CCHA All-Rookie team accolades. He was second to Caporusso on the team in goals with 15 tallies and finished fourth overall in points (30).

Senior forward Danny Fardig earned the Howard Colby Award for sportsmanship as determined by his teammates. Fardig collected just 10 penalty minutes in 31 games yet still managed to play a hard-nosed, defense-first style. He set career highs in points (9) and assists (7) and was +10.

The Joseph E. Barss Award, which is given to the best team player as determined by the coaching staff, went to senior goalie Billy Sauer (pictured). The netminder posted a 5-6-0 record with two shutouts in his final season. He had a 2.02 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage.

The Alton D. Simms Award for the team's most improved player went to freshman forward Luke Glendening. Recruited to join the Wolverines as a walk-on, Glendening played in 35 of 41 games, including each of the final 24 contests. He potted six goals, including three game-winners, in addition to four assists for 10 points.

Sophomore forward Carl Hagelin received the Carl Isaacson Award as the team's top player in the classroom. Hagelin is enrolled in the School of Kinesiology and was U-M's representative on the CCHA Scholar-Athlete Team. On the ice, Hagelin had an impressive season, setting career highs in points (31), goals (18) and assists (13). He was U-M's third-leading point getter.

The Ray Helber Deker of the Year Award went to Chuck Raab for his efforts to support the Michigan hockey program.

Six players will be graduating from Michigan's 2008-09 squad: forwards Fardig, Tim Miller, Brandon Naurato, Travis Turnbull, defenseman Mark Mitera and Sauer.

Photo courtesy UM Photo Services

Bulldogs name award winners Saturday

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Sophomore defenseman Zach Redmond was selected as the 2008-09 Ferris State Most Valuable Player Saturday evening at the program's annual awards banquet, which was held at the Falcon Head Golf Club in Big Rapids.

The annual postseason event was sponsored by the FSU Blue Line Club.

Redmond, who's the first Bulldog defenseman to receive the Most Valuable Player Award since the 1997-98 season, finished second in team scoring this campaign with a career season-high 24 points on three goals and 21 assists in 38 games. The FSU assistant captain registered a squad-high 62 blocked shots to go with two power-play goals and one game-tying lamplighter this season. Redmond, who was tabbed the CCHA Defenseman of the Week (Oct. 27), compiled a a team fourth-best four multiple-point game performances while producing a squad-leading four multi-assist game efforts this season. A 2008-09 CCHA Preseason All-Conference Honorable Mention Team pick, Redmond tallied at least a point in 17 outings for the 2008-09 campaign.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound defenseman was the third player selected in the seventh round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft as the Atlanta Thrashers selected him with the 184th overall pick.

Freshman goaltender Taylor Nelson was the recipient of the Rookie of the Year Award after recording a 5-8-4 mark this season with a 2.50 goals-against average (44 goals allowed) and a .912 save percentage (457 saves) as a starter in 16 of 19 appearances. Nelson totaled 1054:24 minutes of action between the posts this season and made at least 20 saves in a contest on 13 occasions. The 2008-09 CCHA All-Rookie Honorable Mention Team member placed ninth among the CCHA's top goaltenders in goals-against average (2.39) and was 10th in save percentage (.918) in 15 league outings. He was recognized as the CCHA Rookie of the Week winner this season (Feb. 2).

The Lloyd Earl Trophy as the Bulldogs' top points leader was presented to senior left wing Brendan Connolly, who registered a career single-season high 28 points with 10 goals and 18 assists in 35 games this season. Connolly, a CCHA Offensive Player of the Week honoree this season (Feb. 2), also posted a team-best tying five multi-game performances and notched at least a point in 19 encounters this campaign. Connolly, who netted 20 or more points in a season for the third straight year this season, concluded his career with 81 points on 35 goals with 46 assists in 147 contests. Connolly also posted a squad-best plus six efficiency rating to earn the Plus/Minus Award.

The Steve Banonis Memorial Most Improved Player Award was given to a pair of FSU skaters this season as junior center Casey Haines and sophomore left wing Mike Embach both earned the honor. Haines garnered a team fifth-best tying and career-high 16 points on six goals with 10 assists in 38 games this season. His 2008-09 season points output exceeded his combined 13 points (7-6=13) in 64 contests in his initial two collegiate campaigns. Haines produced at least a point in 13 encounters this season and chalked up a squad sixth-best tying three multi-point games. Embach finished ninth among the Bulldogs' scoring leaders with a career-best 13 points on a career-high nine goals and four assists in 34 outings. Embach, who had seven points (1-6=7) in 25 games as a freshman last season, registered a team-best tying two game-winning lamplighters and racked up at least a point in 10 contests this campaign. Embach was chosen as the CCHA Offensive Player of the Week on one occasion (Jan. 12) this season.

Junior center Aaron Lewicki (pictured) was a repeat winner of the Scholar-Athlete Award for recording the team's highest grade point average. Lewicki, a finance major, holds the distinction of being FSU's CCHA Scholar-Athlete of the Year representative the last two seasons (2007-08 and 2008-09) and also the Bulldogs' CCHA Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award nominee. Lewicki turned in his most productive season at Ferris State this season with a team third-most 20 points, which included a squad-best tying 10 points, in 37 games. Lewicki accumulated career season-high numbers in goals (10), assists (10), and points (20).

The Blue Line Competitive Award was given to junior defenseman Matt Case as a result of being the team's top competitor on a daily basis from off-ice conditioning, practice and games as voted on by his teammates. Case tied for 10th in team scoring this season with 12 points on one goal with 11 assists in 38 contests. Both of Case's points (12) and assists (11) represented career single-season highs. His season points total ranked second most among Bulldog defensemen.

Junior right wing-center Cody Chupp was selected as the recipient of the program's newly-created Community Service Award. The 2008-09 team captain generated seven points and five assists for 12 points in 33 games this campaign. Chupp was a nominee for the 2009 Bank of New York Mellon Hockey Humanitarian Award as college hockey's finest citizen and is a finalist for a 2009 National Student-Athlete Day Giant Steps Award in the category of Civic Leader. The FSU forward has also been nominated for the Hockey Coaches of America (HCA) 2009 Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award which which recognizes a fearless leader and beloved fan favorite who always places his team first.

Ben Mumah, Ferris State Athletics Department's Equipment Manager, was chosen as the FSU Blue Line Club Recognition Award recipient for his many contributions to the Ferris State hockey program throughout the last two-plus decades. Mumah recently completed his 24th year as equipment manager for Bulldog hockey this past season.

Ferris State concluded its 2008-09 season with a 12-19-7 overall record, which included a ninth-place 9-14-5 CCHA mark (25 points) under 17th head coach Bob Daniels. The Bulldogs also recognized their five-member senior class of right wing Justin Lewandowski, right wing Corey Couturier, right wing J.T. Dahlinger, defenseman Evan Case and Connolly at the postseason event.

Photo courtesy Ferris State Athletics

Schwab wins big at LSSU banquet

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Senior forward Troy Schwab, who became the first Lake Superior State player in 11 years to reach the century mark in career scoring, was named the team's most valuable player and most valuable forward during the 27th annual Soo BlueLiners Banquet held Saturday at the Cisler Center.

Schwab (pictured) led the Lakers this season with 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points and totaled 31 goals and 79 assists for 110 career points. He ranked 14th in the CCHA in points in 2008-09.

Schwab, who was one four seniors honored at the banquet, joins Archie Orazietti and Jamie McDonald as the only Lakers to wear the captain's "C" for more than one year. The 5-foot-8, 183-pound playmaker, who totaled 15 career playoff points, is a former freshman of the year honoree.

The BlueLiners also recognized seniors Josh Sim, Carter Lee and Steven Oleksy, who concluded their Laker hockey careers.

Sim won the Gay Blade Award for the third straight year, while Oleksy received the Jim Howie Unsung Hero Award. Sim, known for his sense of humor on and off the ice, totaled 11 goals and 17 assists this season, which ranked second on the team. Oleksy, who led LSSU defensemen in plus-minus at +11, was limited to three seasons of hockey eligibility due to playing one season of collegiate baseball. He had an outstanding senior campaign while managing a challenging 38-credit course load to ensure he would earn his business management degree this spring.

Other major award winners were Fred Cassiani (freshman of the year), Kyle Haines (most improved), Simon Gysbers (most valuable defenseman), Rick Schofield (scholar-athlete) and Zac MacVoy (Soo BlueLiners Award).

Sim and Schwab also presented authentic Laker jerseys to Dr. John and Margie Erkkila in honor of John's retirement at the end of the school year.

Cassiani finished second on the team in goals scored with 11 and totaled 21 points. He ranked eighth among CCHA rookies in scoring and received CCHA All-Rookie Team honorable mention. Haines, a freshman defenseman, appeared in 25 games and totaled two goals and two assists. He made a strong showing in the playoffs, finishing +3 during the Lakers' 6-3 series-opening win at Western Michigan.

Gysbers, another repeat winner, was also named LSSU's outstanding defenseman in 2007-08 and shared freshman of the year honors in 2006-07. He had four multiple-point series this season and set a career high in single-season points with 3-18-21, which ranked 11th among CCHA defensemen in scoring. He has 13-39-52 through three seasons.

Schofield is a sophomore forward who led the Lakers in plus-minus at +13 and totaled nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points. The marketing major with a 3.71 grade-point average was LSSU's nominee for the CCHA Scholar-Athlete Award. He was one of the league's hottest forwards in January, at which time he received RBC Financial Player of the Month special mention.

MacVoy, a junior forward, ranked 13th in the CCHA in goals with 14 and totaled 12 assists to finish with 26 points. He opened the 2008-09 season with a 10-game point streak (6-6-12) and received RBC Financial Player of the Month special mention in October. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound transfer from Michigan has 22 goals and 31 assists through two seasons with the Lakers.

Photo courtesy Lake Superior State Athletics

Palushaj departs early from Michigan

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Michigan sophomore forward Aaron Palushaj signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues on Friday, foregoing his junior and senior seasons with the Wolverines.

Palushaj, a Northville native, was a second-round draft pick (44th overall) of the Blues in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

The 6-foot, 195-pound right wing racked up 23 goals and 71 assists for 94 points in 82 games. He earned CCHA All-Rookie Team honorable mention as a freshman, posting a 10-34-44 line in 43 games. During his sophomore season, he accumulated a 13-37-50 line in 39 games en route to receiving All-CCHA first-team recognition. Palushaj's 50 points this season led the Wolverines and were tied for fourth in the country. His 37 assists also led U-M and were tied for second nationally.

Internationally, Palushaj played for Team USA at the IIHF 2009 World Junior Championship in Ottawa. He had two goals and three assists as the U.S. finished fifth in the tournament.

Photo by UM Photo Services

Get ready for the 2010 Frozen Four

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

NCAA championship excitement returns to Detroit next April as Ford Field and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association host the 2010 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four Ice Hockey Championship on April 8 and 10, 2010.

Tickets for college hockey’s record-breaking event go on-sale Saturday, April 18, 2009 at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

Similar to the new 2009 NCAA Final Four seating configuration, Ford Field will also be the first host venue to utilize this new seating design at the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four – with the ice surface placed directly in the center of the stadium floor. This new configuration will take seating capacity for the event to over 70,000 fans. The current record attendance for a Frozen Four game is 19,432 – established at the 2007 championship game at Scottrade Center in St. Louis – where Michigan State defeated Boston College, 3-1.

The 2010 Frozen Four will also feature a new ice system created specifically for this event. Dan Craig, Facility Operations Manager for the National Hockey League, will oversee installation and maintenance for this state-of-the-art ice system. Craig has supervised the ice systems used for several of the NHL’s recent outdoor games, including the 2009 Winter Classic game at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

In hosting the 2010 Frozen Four, Ford Field will become the third venue to host both a Final Four and a Frozen Four event and will become the first venue to ever host the events in back-to-back years.